Materia Medica

Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) — Marapuama, Potency Wood
A research-grounded guide to muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides), covering Amazonian nerve-tonic and libido traditions, preclinical brain research, chemistry, species identification and current safety limits. Read more...
Mustard (Brassica & Sinapis spp.) — Yellow Mustard, Brown Mustard, Black Mustard
A research-grounded guide to yellow/white, brown/Indian and black mustard seeds, covering species differences, culinary use, glucosinolate chemistry, traditional medicine, skin-burn risk and mustard allergy. Read more...
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) — Gum Myrrh, Myrrha
A research-grounded guide to myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), covering its ancient resin tradition, oral and wound uses, modern research, taxonomy, essential-oil distinctions, pregnancy concerns and drug interactions. Read more...
Original botanical visualization of Myrtus communis common myrtle, glossy narrow evergreen leaves, white flowers with many stamens, dark berries
Common Myrtle (Myrtus communis) — True Myrtle, Greek Myrtle
A research-grounded guide to common myrtle (Myrtus communis), covering Mediterranean food and herbal traditions, phytochemistry, mouth-ulcer and reflux trials, preliminary 2026 cognitive research, essential-oil distinctions and safety. Read more...
Noni (Morinda citrifolia) — Indian Mulberry, Cheese Fruit
A research-grounded guide to noni (Morinda citrifolia), separating traditional Polynesian uses from modern juice marketing while covering phytochemistry, limited human evidence, liver-injury reports, potassium and medication cautions. Read more...
Olive Leaf (Olea europaea) — Olive, Oleuropein
A research-grounded guide to olive leaf (Olea europaea), covering Mediterranean traditional use, oleuropein and other phenolics, human cardiometabolic research, newer meta-analysis findings, product differences and safety. Read more...
Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium) — Holly-Leaved Barberry, Mountain Grape
A research-grounded guide to Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium / Mahonia aquifolium), covering taxonomy, berberine-rich root bark, traditional bitter-herb use, topical psoriasis trials, evidence limits, drug interactions and pregnancy safety. Read more...
Orris Root (Iris × germanica) — Iris Root, Florentine Iris
A research-grounded guide to orris root from Iris × germanica and Iris pallida, covering violet-like irone fragrance, perfumery and flavor tradition, herbal history, limited clinical evidence, species identification and irritation/allergy safety. Read more...
Osha (Ligusticum porteri) — Bear Root, Colorado Cough Root
A research-grounded guide to osha or bear root (Ligusticum porteri), covering Indigenous and Hispanic Southwestern traditions, respiratory-use history, limited modern clinical evidence, wild-harvest conservation, poisonous Apiaceae look-alikes and safety. Read more...
Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) — Twinberry, Squaw Vine, Checkerberry
A research-grounded guide to partridgeberry or twinberry (Mitchella repens), covering woodland identification, Indigenous and folk women’s-use traditions, floral chemistry, major modern research gaps and pregnancy safety concerns. Read more...
Pau d'Arco (Handroanthus impetiginosus) — Taheebo, Lapacho
A research-grounded guide to pau d’arco, taheebo or lapacho (Handroanthus impetiginosus; formerly Tabebuia impetiginosa), covering traditional inner-bark use, lapachol and beta-lapachone research, cancer-claim evidence limits, bleeding concerns and pregnancy safety. Read more...
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) — European Pennyroyal, Pudding Grass
A safety-first guide to pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), covering traditional use, pulegone and menthofuran toxicology, severe essential-oil poisoning, pregnancy danger, liver injury and emergency safety considerations. Read more...